1861 (Wantage) Squadron

1861 (Wantage) SquadronSituated in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse, 1861 (Wantage) Squadron has been serving the towns of Wantage, Faringdon and the surrounding villages with opportunities and activities for aviation interested young people since 1941.

Latest News for: 1861

Fieldcraft Trailblazers

Cadets and staff have recently undertaken two fieldcraft weekends with almost 90 cadets and staff being trained.

The first weekend focused on cadet fieldcraft skills with some of the cadets even sleeping under the stars in bivouacs with none of their normal luxuries. That alone is tough enough but to then add two days of intense and relentless training makes their achievement all the more significant. Continue reading

Inter Squadron Athletics

Woodley Air cadets have been crowned Athletics champs after an action packed day of competitions Abingdon’s Tilsley Park stadium. In taking the win they narrowly beat Slough and Britwell units from a field of almost 200 cadets from 14 Squadrons from right across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The winners in each of the competitions will now go forward to represent Thames Valley Wing at the South West Region championships. Continue reading

Thames Valley Wing Mark the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in Windsor

Thames Valley Wing played a lead role when  over 700 RAF Air Cadets and Adult Volunteers from across the South West Region proudly celebrated RAF100 with an unprecedented parade through the streets of Windsor. With the iconic Windsor Castle in the background, the parade drew hundreds of people onto the streets to watch as a sea of light blue took over the Royal Berkshire town for the day. Continue reading

2017 State Awards

The 2017 Wing Awards evening held at RAF Benson has recognised the service and dedication of cadets, instructors, Senior NCO’s, Officers and Civilian Committee members from right across Oxfordshire and Berkshire. This year the awards were presented by Group Captain Eddie Cole, Regional Commandant (South West). Continue reading

Bowling to victory

Sunday, 4th December saw the annual Thames Valley Wing bowling competition take place at RAF Brize Norton with over 140 cadets representing 22 Squadrons from across the Wing.

After an early start the competition started and with a competitive spirit the 12 lanes at the Astro Bowl were soon full of cadets aiming for the strikes to add vital points to their Squadron scores. Each team was made up of only four cadets so the pressure was on each cadet to get down those pins. Everyone managed to compete in at least three games and after a tense bowl off at the end the winners were announced. Continue reading

Celebrating the success of cadet and volunteers

Air Cadets and volunteer staff from across Thames Valley Wing Air Training Corps gathered at RAF Benson for an evening of celebrations during the annual THRIVE awards.

The THRIVE awards were established three years ago to recognise the achievements and successes of the individuals who support the Air Cadets in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Hosted by RAF Benson and sponsored by five organisations 33 individuals received recognition on the evening for their efforts across several categories. Continue reading

Thrive Nominations 2016

thrive_logo16Congratulations to the following individuals who have been nominated for a 2016 Thrive award:

AWARD NAME SQUADRON
Inspirational Civilian Instructor – For the Civilian Instructor who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Air Training Corps. CI J FITT

CI P SOAR

CI M MRZGLOD

211 NEWBURY

2507 BICESTER

594 THAME

Valiant NCO – For excellence, through the virtue of hard work, character and quality in service as a Senior NCO. FS (ATC) R FENION

WO (ATC) M ROBERTS

FS (ATC) S PEDGE

1460 BANBURY

1861 WANTAGE

2121 ABINGDON

Outstanding Junior Officer – To recognise the Junior Officer who has excelled including in their own personal development. FG OFF L BAKER RAFVR(T)

FG OFF J PRESTON RAFVR(T)

FLT LT A PYE RAFVR(T)

153 SLOUGH

1315 KIDLINGTON

211 NEWBURY

Unsung Hero – Awarded to the individual whose contribution often goes unrecognised, but without it the ATC would fail to deliver. SGT (ATC) M WIGLEY

CDT FS BIDDLE

FLT LT T CHURNSIDE RAFVR(T)

1861 WANTAGE

594 THAME

381 READING

Endeavour Award – For consistent and extraordinary efforts in helping others, above and beyond the call of duty and often against the odds. CI M ROSE

FLT LT D AZIZIAN RAFVR(T)

FLT LT P BENNETT RAFVR(T)

966 WALLINGFORD

2121 ABINGDON

155 MAIDENHEAD

Air Cadets parade in Windsor to mark their 75th Anniversary

360 Air Cadets and over 80 adult volunteers from across the Thames Valley Air Cadets came together on Sunday, 22nd May to celebrate the Air Training corps (ATC) 75th Anniversary.

Parading through Windsor and past the Guildhall it was an incredible sight to see the Thames Valley Air Cadets march through the streets and onto the Parish Church in all their splendour. Continue reading